After fleeing the famine, my older sister and I married the brother next door.

Su Xiaoyin pondered for a moment, mentally reviewing the two sisters' situation. Orphaned and destitute, they had a letter severing ties with their parents, posing no threat to their grandparents. Besides, their county wasn't exactly close to the neighboring county, and their grandparents were too old to likely come looking for them. They were literate, good at accounting and managing a household, and likely had a strong and capable personality—otherwise, they wouldn't have survived those years. Such a family, though not of high social standing, had a respectable background, and the girls were capable; they would be a perfect match for Shi Tou and A Ji. The only question was their character; she'd have to see them in person to be sure.

"Okay, once those two girls arrive, give me a message and we'll go check on them. I won't tell your older brother and Aji yet; we'll tell them after we've finalized the arrangements, so they won't feel burdened." Su Xiaoyin said, standing up and patting Qingqing's hand.

Qingqing stood up and said, "Then I'll be going. I have things to do at home. The shop received new fabric today, and Yang Wenhu can't manage it all by himself. I have to rush back to help with the stocking. I came today to tell you this news, so that your elder brothers' affairs don't drag on any longer." Su Xiaoyin invited her to stay for dinner, but Qingqing said she couldn't, as Wenhu was still waiting at home. Su Xiaoyin laughed and scolded her, "They've only been married a short time, and you can't even be separated from your husband already." Qingqing blushed slightly, picked up her bundle, and walked out.

Zhao Qinghuan followed behind to see her off, took a few freshly baked flatbreads from the kitchen, wrapped them in oil paper, and stuffed them into Qingqing's hand, saying to take them back for her brother-in-law to try. Qingqing thanked him and drove off in the mule cart.

Su Xiaoyin stood at the courtyard gate, watching the mule cart turn the corner of the alley until it disappeared from sight, before turning back. She sat in the main room, carefully going through the news Qingqing had brought, then turned to Su Xiaoqing and said, "Tell Shitou and Aji about this later, so they're prepared. Whether it works out or not, let's meet them first."

Su Xiaoqing nodded, picked up her teacup, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Sister, if those two sisters really come, do you think our family can accommodate them? They sold their house to come here; if the marriage doesn't go through, won't they have nowhere to stay?" Su Xiaoyin was silent for a while, then said to see how they are first. If they are good people, everything will be easier to discuss. If all else fails, the house in the county town is empty anyway; let them stay first. In these matters, we should put ourselves in their shoes and not put the young ladies in a difficult position. Su Xiaoqing agreed and kept these words in mind.

Inside the kitchen, the fire in the stove burned brightly, and the soup in the pot bubbled and steamed. Zhao Qinghuan stood by the stove, stirring the soup, thinking about the twin sisters Qingqing had mentioned. They had lost their parents when they were thirteen or fourteen, and the two sisters had supported each other for so many years, even having to fight a lawsuit against their grandparents for their inheritance. It must have been truly difficult for them. She picked up a spoon, tasted the soup, and added a pinch of salt.

----

The Chen family had been waiting for news of Qingqing. They waited until after the New Year, the snow in the fields melted, the willows sprouted new buds, and they inquired about the girls introduced by Matchmaker Zhang one by one. More or less, none of them were quite suitable. It wasn't that the girls were bad, but their personalities clashed with the family's style. For many years, the Chen family had been harmonious from top to bottom. The sisters Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing, who were in charge of the household, had never argued. Afu's wife, Zhao Qinghuan, also got along well with the family. The family lived together peacefully, discussing things without any messy disputes. As for the remaining two daughters-in-law, other factors could be discussed, but their temperaments had to be compatible with the family. Matchmaker Zhang made several more trips, but Su Xiaoyin wasn't satisfied with any of the recommended families. She either thought the girls were too gentle and couldn't handle things, or that the family relationships were too complicated and she feared future entanglements. So, the marriage of Shitou and Aji remained unresolved.

The first month of the lunar calendar was almost over when news finally came from Qingqing. Early that morning, Yang Wenhu personally drove a mule cart to the Chen family's house, carrying a basket containing two packets of brown sugar and a piece of silk. Yang Wenhu placed the basket on the table, wiped the fine sweat from his brow, and said that Qingqing had sent him to deliver a message—the two girls had arrived, one named Zhang Qiuming and the other Zhang Yuming, and were already staying at the Yang family's old house in town.

Upon hearing this, Su Xiaoyin stopped picking vegetables she was doing, wiped her hands on her apron, and hurriedly asked how it went. Yang Wenhu said he hadn't seen her either; Qingqing and her mother were in the backyard with her, and he couldn't go in. He only said that the girl was pretty and spoke generously, and her mother wanted them to arrange a meeting as soon as possible. Su Xiaoyin nodded repeatedly and told Yang Wenhu to go back and tell Qingqing that they would come tomorrow.

That evening, Su Xiaoyin called Shitou and Aji to the main room. Shitou had just returned from the county school and was studying by the window, while Aji had just returned from the yamen and was leaning back in his chair drinking tea. Neither of them knew that Yang Wenhu had come during the day. Su Xiaoyin explained the two girls' situation—both parents were deceased, their grandparents were unkind and had severed ties, and the two sisters had supported each other for several years. They had sold their house to come this time, so they had money. Their character was impeccable, and Qingqing's mother-in-law had personally inspected them and said both girls were good. Su Xiaoyin told them to dress neatly the next day and go with her to the Yang family in town.

Shi Tou closed his book, adjusted his glasses, and glanced at Aji. Aji put down his teacup and nodded. Neither of them declined.

The next morning, Su Xiaoyin and Su Xiaoqing got Shitou and Aji all ready. Shitou changed into a new navy blue long gown, his hair neatly combed. Aji wore a gray-blue cotton robe, the cuffs neatly tied, and cloth shoes with thick soles. Su Xiaoyin checked them over and straightened Aji's collar. The two sisters also changed into clean clothes, entrusted the household chores to Zhao Qinghuan, and the four of them drove the mule cart to town.

Upon arriving at Yang's Cloth Shop, Madam Yang was already waiting at the entrance, smiling as she welcomed them inside. Passing through the shop, they reached the back courtyard. Qingqing was standing under the eaves, wearing a light green silk dress. Seeing Su Xiaoyin and the others arrive, she quickly came forward to greet them. Su Xiaoyin took Qingqing's hand and asked softly, "How are you?" Qingqing smiled and said, "She's inside. Mother, you'll see when you go in."

Two girls were sitting in the main room.

As soon as Su Xiaoyin entered, her gaze fell upon them. Both girls were dressed in simple, fine cotton clothes, one in lotus root pink and the other in light blue, their hair neatly styled with silver hairpins. Seeing the guest enter, they stood up, neither flinching nor avoiding her, their gaze open and their lips curved into gentle smiles. Su Xiaoyin immediately felt a sense of goodwill—they weren't shy, they were poised and confident; a good first impression was already made.